Paintings and Antiques

When most people hear the question, “Who are your favorite artists?” they immediately think of musicians, singers, or pop stars topping the charts. Me? I go a different route. God is the ultimate artist—the one who painted the skies, carved the mountains, and filled the world with life, color, and movement. Every sunset, every tree, every ripple in a stream reflects His creativity in a way no human ever could. But as a human, there are artists who have tried, in their own ways, to capture even a fraction of that divine beauty.

As an art and antique dealer, I spend my days surrounded by the work of these human artists, handling and studying pieces that carry history and craftsmanship in every detail. In American oil painting, I admire those who shaped our culture and history: Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood, capturing the vitality of everyday life; Childe Hassam, whose impressionistic city streets and coastal scenes glow with light; Edward Hopper, portraying quiet solitude; Georgia O’Keeffe, transforming flowers and landscapes into bold, abstracted visions; Winslow Homer, capturing the raw energy of the sea; John Singer Sargent, immortalizing his subjects with elegance; and Norman Rockwell, giving us iconic glimpses of Americana. I also admire Mary Cassatt, Frederic Remington, and N.C. Wyeth, each telling stories of America through brush and canvas.

In glass, my passion is equally strong. American innovators like Louis Comfort Tiffany and Frederick Carder of Steuben Glass created stunning, timeless works. From Murano, the skill of Achille Seguso and the legendary house of Venini continues to captivate me. Handling these pieces as a dealer allows me to study every swirl of color, every delicate curve, every signature—insights that deepen my appreciation for the craftsmanship behind them.

Collecting and dealing in antiques and art has taught me to notice the subtle cues that reveal an artist’s hand: how light dances through glass, the texture of a brushstroke, or the fine signature etched into a vase or canvas. The greatest human artists, in my eyes, are those who attempt to echo the beauty of creation itself, whether their names are widely known or remain a mystery.

Art isn’t just decoration; it’s a bridge to the past, a celebration of skill, and a reflection of the world around us. Every piece I acquire, whether an American oil painting or a Murano vase, renews that thrill of discovery and keeps me chasing the hands that turn imagination into enduring beauty.

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